NFL: Peyton Manning wins fifth MVP award

Manning's record-setting season earned him The Associated Press NFL MVP award Saturday night in a landslide. No other player has won more than three.

Denver's record-setting quarterback, who threw for 55 touchdowns and 5,477 yards in leading the Broncos to the AFC's best record, earned 49 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league. New England quarterback Tom Brady got the other vote.

Manning won his other MVPs with Indianapolis in 2003, '04, '08 and '09. He also was the runner-up last season to Adrian Peterson.

"I am humbled by this recognition and grateful to my family, (Broncos owner) Pat Bowlen, John Elway, John Fox and the entire Denver Broncos organization, and of course, my coaches and my teammates," Manning said in a prepared video acceptance speech. He was not on hand as he gets ready for Sunday's Super Bowl against Seattle.

Archie Manning, Peyton's father, accepted the award from two more MVPs, former 49ers great Joe Montana and Aaron Rodgers, while holding Peyton's son, Marshall, in his arms.

Manning still trails two Hall of Famers for total MVPs in their sport. Wayne Gretzky won nine NHL MVPs, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won six in the NBA. Also, Barry Bonds owns seven in baseball.

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Manning also took the AP's Offensive Player of the Year award for the second time. Elway accepted the Offensive Player award on Manning's behalf.

"I can say I have never seen a better year played by a quarterback than Peyton Manning," said Elway, a Broncos executive who won the MVP award in 1987. "To see what he did this year, it was truly amazing."

Manning received 33 votes for the offensive player honor. He also was runner-up last year to Peterson for the award.

This time, running back LeSean McCoy of Philadelphia was second with 10 votes, followed by Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles with four.

Carolina grabbed two major awards, with Ron Rivera winning AP NFL Coach of the Year and linebacker Luke Kuechly voted top defensive player.

Rivera, a former Cal standout, engineered the Panthers' turnaround from a 7-9 record to 12-4, the NFC South title and a first-round playoff bye. Kuechly keyed a defense that allowed 241 points, fewer than every team except NFC champion Seattle.

Rivera's fine work in his third season in charge in Carolina brought him 21½ votes. That outdistanced Kansas City's Andy Reid, who got 13½ votes. In his first year with the Chiefs, Reid took them from 2-14 to 11-5 and an AFC wild-card berth.

"I do feel a lot of pride because it has been a long journey, but it also was a part of the process," Rivera said.

Kuechly was credited with 96 tackles, four interceptions, two sacks, eight passes defensed, and was a presence from sideline to sideline.

A second-round pick (61st overall) from Alabama, Lacy was a key performer in the Packers' offense, particularly when star quarterback Rodgers was sidelined for seven games. Lacy rushed for 1,178 yards on 284 carries (4.1 average), with 11 touchdowns. He also had 35 receptions.

That was good enough for 35 votes.

"I'm comfortable where I am, and my teammates believe in me, and they make me feel comfortable, so I'm able to play the way I'm capable of playing," said Lacy, who beat out San Diego wide receiver Keenan Allen, who received 12 votes.

Richardson, the 13th overall pick in April's draft on a selection acquired when New York traded star cornerback Darrelle Revis to Tampa Bay, won a close race over Buffalo linebacker Kiko Alonso. Richardson received 23 votes; Alonso, a second-round choice (46th overall), got 19.

NFL AWARD WINNERS

MVP: Peyton Manning, QB, Denver BroncosOffensive Player of the Year: ManningDefensive Player of the Year: Luke Kuechly, LB, Carolina PanthersCoach of the Year: Ron Rivera, Carolina PanthersOffensive Rookie of the Year: Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay PackersDefensive Rookie of the Year: Sheldon Richardson, DE, New York JetsComeback Player of the Year: Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers